M. P. STILES by M. P. Stiles

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 16, 1869

M. P. STILES

By M. P. Stiles

From Sr. Stiles.

Dear Brethren and Sisters: I had been striving for some time to realize a perceptible growth in grace, but found it hard advancing; and when I read what a brother said a few weeks past in the REVIEW, about having a system, I eagerly seized the idea, and acted upon it, and have been so strengthened and blessed in it that I am convinced that God is pleased with order, even in secret worship. If our design and determination is to have all our thoughts and actions to the glory of God, it will be a pleasure to review them several times in the course of the day, especially if we have done some good work, or spoken some good word; and if some evil has been done, the sooner we repent the better.

Oh! when shall we be perfect enough to keep the “acceptable fast,” to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, to deal our bread to the hungry, and to bring the poor that are cast out to our homes? &c. The promises look so precious to me this morning, I feel that I will keep the fast that the Lord will accept.

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord will answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.” Oh! to live so near to the Lord as this, would be a fullness of enjoyment that would compensate for all the sorrows and perils of the “narrow way.” Let us hold fast the “cord.” It will surely hold, but we must hold it with both hands. We cannot carry our treasures in one, and hold safely to the cord with the other; but if we have been good stewards, our earthly treasures with our hearts will have passed before us to the beautiful land.

We have been scattering books and papers lately, and are surprised to find those who have formerly been prejudiced, take them gladly, and say they are not afraid to investigate. One commenced to keep the Sabbath with the new year. It is a noticeable fact that the newly converted find just what they need in Spiritual Gifts and Life Incidents, and prize them highly.

It is quite sickly here this winter, which has moved the minds of the people, reminding them of their mortality, and causing them to feel the need of a well-ordered life, and a religion that will carry them over the dark valley. We humbly and earnestly pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers into his harvest, and to send one here as soon as agreeable to his holy will. Some desire baptism.

M. P. STILES

Cedar Springs, Mich., Feb. 2, 1869.